Hadhrat Maseehul Ummat, Maulana Mohammed Maseehullah Khan, is one of the greatest authorities in Tasawwuf of our times, He hails from the renowned and distinguished Sherwani family of Pathans. Although the Sherwani clan is famed as Pathan, it in reality is Sayyid in its origin, for its ancestral progenitor was Sayyid Husain Ghauri (RA.) who migrated from Ghauri during the reign of Khalif Abdul Malik Bin Marwaan (d. 65 Aft) and settled in the region neighboring `Koohe Sulaimaan’. Sayyid Husain Ghauri (R.A.) settled among the Pathans and married the daughter of Batan Bin Qais Abdur Rashid. She bore him two sons, Lodi and Sherwani. The descendents of Sherwani became known as Sherwaani. It is then to this family of Sayyids that Hadhrat Maseehullah Khan Saheb belongs.Hadhrat Maseehullah Saheb was born in 1329 or 1330 A.H. at Barlah, District Aligarh, India. Born a saint, he was from early childhood the repository of piety and sterling qualities. His virtue, excellence of character, simplicity and dignity were acknowledged by all who came into contact with him even during his childhood. A considerable part of his time during childhood was spent in Zikr and supererogatory acts of Ibaadat. A favorite occupation of Hadhrat Maseehullah Saheb during his early youth was to sit in the company of the Saaliheen and Auliya. In this regard the companionship of Hadhrat Maulana Muhammad Ilyaas (R.A.), the Khalifa of Hadhrat Shaikhul Hind (R.A.) is noteworthy. It was this companionship during childhood days which introduced Hakeemul Ummat Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (R.A.) to Hadhrat Maseehullah Saheb. Sitting in the company of Hadhrat Muhammad Ilyaas (R.A.). the young Maseehullah, heard with eagerness the incidents, talks and advices of Hakeemul Ummat (R.A.). Studying the works of Hadhrat Thanvi (R.A.) at the hands of Hadhrat Maulana Muhammad Ilyaas (R.A.) engendered in Hadhrat Maseehullah Saheb a yearning, faith and love for Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (R.A.) An outstanding feature of Hadhrat Maseehullah’s character is the dominant qualities of hayaa’ (modesty) and tenderness. Hadhrat Alabama Mufti A’zam Saeed Ahmad Lucknowi (R.A.), Ustadh of Hadhrat Maseehullah. Who witnessed the life of Hadhrat Maseehullah from early childhood observed:“From childhood he (Hadhrat Maseehullah Saheb has been the repository of modesty, dignity, respect, forbearance, ingenuity, intelligence and commendable attributes (`ausaffe hameedah).”

Hadhrat Mufti Saeed Ahmad Lucknowi (R.A.) – a great Faqeeh and Muhaddith – who had attained perfection in many branches of learning; despite being the Ustadh of Hadhrat Maseehullah Saheb, turned towards him (Hadhrat Maseehullah) for spiritual’ guidance after the demise of Hakeemul Ummat Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (R.A.), who had bestowed even the mantle of Khilafat (spiritual mentorship) upon Hadhrat Mufti Saheb. This act of Hadhrat Mufti Saeed Ahmad (R.A.) is ample testimony of the fact that Hadhrat Maseehullah Saheb is a born saint who has attained spiritual perfection.

EDUCATION AND SPIRITUAL TRAININGHadhrat Maseehullah’s initial educational training commenced in his hometown. The greater part of the Islamic syllabus up to the stage of Mishkat Shareef was acquired from Hadhrat Mufti Saeed Ahmad. From Mishkat Shareef and Hidayah onwards up to completion of the Aalim Faadhil course was undertaken at the famous Islamic institute of learning, Darul Uloom, Deoband. He passed his student days in perfect solitude and was totally engrossed in the acquisition of llm’. At the same time he was a Mureed of Hadhrat Thanvi (R.A.) and as a result of his elevated spiritual rank, he occupied a distinguished position of honour and respect among students and Ulama as well.It was already noted that a spiritual link of faith and love with Hadhrat Thanvi (R.A.) was already established during his early childhood days. The first time that Hadhrat Maseehullah saw Hakeemul Ummat Hadhrat Maulana Thanvi (R.A.), was at Aligarh during the year when he (Hadhrat Maseehullah) `left for Deoband in pursuit of his Islamic education. The same year Hadhrat Maseehullah established his `islaah (spiritual rectification) connection with Hadhrat Thanvi (R.A.). Since that time he has been in constant communication with Hadhrat Thanvi (R.A.).

KHILAFATThe year when Hadhrat Maseehullah qualified in his Islamic studies at Darul Uloom, Deoband, Hadhrat Thanvi (R.A.) conferred upon him the spiritual Mantle of Khilafat authorizing him to `talqeene bait (initiation of Mureeds) and to conduct the spiritual training of Mureeds.Among the various Khulafaa of Hakeemul Ummat (R.A.), Hadhrat Maseehullah Saheb occupies a highly distinguished rank. Hadhrat Maseehullah was appointed as a Khalifa at an early age, however, despite his relative youth. Hadhrat Thanvi (R.A.) listed him among eleven of his distinguished Khulafaa (Spiritual Representatives). This list was later published.Hadhrat Thanvi (R.A.) had special reliance on the spiritual programmes and methods of spiritual training (islaah, ta’leem and tarbiyat) initiated by Hadhrat Maseehullah, As a result of this reliance, Hakeemul Ummat (R.A.) would refer certain Mureeds to Hadhrat Maseehullah for spiritual training.As has been already observed that among all the Khulafaa of Hakeemul Ummat (RA.), Hadhrat Maseehullah enjoys a distinguished rank of prominence. This was attested to by no less than Hakeemul Ummat (R.A.) himself. Once, upon someone’s enquiry.

Hadhrat Thanvi (R.A.) said:ISA AND MASEEH HAVE SURPASSED (THE OTHERS)Isa here is a reference to Hadhrat Maulana Muhammad lsaa (R.A.), also among the distinguished Khulafaa of Hakimul Ummat (R.A.). and Maseeh refers to Hadhrat Maseehullah Saheb (R.A.)